COL. JAMES M. NEAL.
In Colonel Neal is represented the fifth generation of his family in Danville,
all honorably identified with the best interests of the city. He
was born in Danville, January 3, 1845, son of Thomas D. Neal, who
was born in Pittsylvania county, October, 1812, was many years an
active business man of Danville, founding the present warehouse system
there in 1858, and who died in Richmond, on June 21, 1884. The
mother of Colonel Neal, born in Halifax county, Virginia, in 1821,
living now in Richmond, is L. F., daughter of Col. Samuel Carter of
Halifax county. A lad sixteen years of age at the outbreak of the civil
war, Colonel Neal responded to the call of Virginia, entering service in
Company B, 18th Virginia regiment. He was detailed on the staff of
General Pickett, where he served with fidelity till the close of the war,
sharing in all the immortal service of that gallant division. At the
close of the war he went to New York City and entered a large tobacco
establishment there, where he remained until his marriage.
He married in Danville, November 1, 1866, Rev. D. G. W. Dame officiating,
Rose P. Allen of Danville, daughter of Orin N. and Susan (Freeman)
Allen. Her father, born in New York in 1812, died June 20,
1875; her mother, born in Culpeper county, Virginia, is now living in
Danville. Colonel and Mrs. Neal have one son, Orin Allen, and have
buried a daughter, Percy Stokes, died at age of four years six months.
Making his home after marriage in Danville, Colonel Neal embarked
in business there as a tobacco leaf dealer, one of the first to ship leaf
tobacco from Danville in consignments. Since 1869 he has been proprietor
of the Planters Warehouse founded by him. The warehouse
building now occupied by him, 72×256 feet, he erected in 1869 to
accommodate his extended business. His best energies have ever been at
the service of his native city. The Odd Fellows Hall, on Main street,
stands as a monument to his enterprise, its erection having been secured
by his influence while he was Master of Bethesda Lodge, I. O. O. F. He
was an active worker in the movement which resulted in the building of
the new Episcopal church building in Danville, one of the finest church
edifices in Virginia. In 1886 he assisted in forming the organization
from which has resulted the Danville Academy of Music, costing
$30,000, and of this organization he is still the efficient chairman, the
building remaining under its control. He was active, in 1887, in
securing the improved water works sewerage, and other improvements,
and it was he who made the first move toward holding in Danville the
tobacco fair which was in its success so creditable to the city. He is
president of the Chamber of Commerce, and holds other public offices
of trust. Colonel Neal is yet in the prime of life, an energetic business
man, a public spirited citizen, a true Virginian.
